On my recent trip to Venice I was able to read Giacomo Casanova’s memoirs and liked them so much that I recommend them to all avid readers. Although Casanova is remembered today for being a master seducer; he was also a spy, diplomat, soldier, prisoner, adventurer and businessman. He lived a rich and highly interesting life, although some of his activities are nothing short of unscrupulous.
Born on April 2nd, 1725 in Venice as the eldest son of Gaetan Joseph Jacques Casanova and Zanetti Farusi, Casanova was raised by his maternal grandmother. After his basic education, he tried to become a priest, but was found to have too roving an eye.
Casanova’s life was full of illicit affairs and illegitimate children. At one point in his life, he almost married his own illegitimate daughter. He spent a lot of time travelling all over Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, England, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Turkey and Austria. Owing to his travels, Casanova came across people from different sections of society, from peasants to aristocrats and got to know kings, popes and other eminent personalities.
During the Inquisition, Casanova found himself imprisoned for 15 months for airing his views about morality and religion; however, he escaped and was able to continue his life. Although he never seemed to really care about money, he lived well and ensured that he always had the best food, houses and clothes. He was good at making money, but poor at saving it; and this ultimately forced him to seek employment with the same people who imprisoned him. Fortunately for him, they decided to employ him as a spy for a few years.
He spent the last 14 years of his life working as a librarian for Count Waldstein in the Chateau Dux, Bohemia where he wrote on a series of topics and compiled his memoirs.
Born on April 2nd, 1725 in Venice as the eldest son of Gaetan Joseph Jacques Casanova and Zanetti Farusi, Casanova was raised by his maternal grandmother. After his basic education, he tried to become a priest, but was found to have too roving an eye.Casanova’s life was full of illicit affairs and illegitimate children. At one point in his life, he almost married his own illegitimate daughter. He spent a lot of time travelling all over Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, England, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Turkey and Austria. Owing to his travels, Casanova came across people from different sections of society, from peasants to aristocrats and got to know kings, popes and other eminent personalities.
During the Inquisition, Casanova found himself imprisoned for 15 months for airing his views about morality and religion; however, he escaped and was able to continue his life. Although he never seemed to really care about money, he lived well and ensured that he always had the best food, houses and clothes. He was good at making money, but poor at saving it; and this ultimately forced him to seek employment with the same people who imprisoned him. Fortunately for him, they decided to employ him as a spy for a few years.
He spent the last 14 years of his life working as a librarian for Count Waldstein in the Chateau Dux, Bohemia where he wrote on a series of topics and compiled his memoirs.
